Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: feed
Morgen,
Ah, you mention Lucerne, that's what alfalfa is called in most areas
except the US. Your animals don't like it? Our alpacas go crazy for
alfalfa hay! And ours do like the pellet, since it's based on alfalfa.
We used to feed calf manna to our crias mixed 1:1 with the adult alpaca
pellet, but haven't bought that for a few years. I believe it has milk
solids in it, so we never thought it was appropriate to feed to adults.
We used to have COB on hand as well, but that really is straight corn,
oats, and barley with molasses! That's another thing we rarely ever
opened up and offered to our alpacas. We've never tried the beet pulp
to my recollection, although I could be wrong about that. I have read
that alpacas can be allergic to it, and we know sugars are not good for
the alpacas' gut.
Now, I'm speaking for my weather situation. If you live in region with
extreme cold like Wendy does, certainly a bit of supplemental starch or
sugar in the diet can be lifesaving to older and thin individuals, and
can keep weight on the rest, but use in moderation! And watch
carefully! I'm not kidding about the perforated ulcer. That reminds me,
we also lost an older dam to fatty liver a few years ago, when we fed
the WABA pellet.
Here's another idea. We used to topdress an older very skinny girl's
feed with Super 14, a horse product. She loved that and it did add some
pounds on her. I'd say give that a try.
Heather
On Dec 22, 2008, at 8:27 AM, dreamwoodalpacas wrote:
> Dear Heather,
>
> As a basis for the feed, i.e. instead of pellets, what you say
> definatley makes sense. My situation is different as I wanted to use
> the alfalfa pellets instead of alfalfa hay to put weight on 1 or two
> getting very thin moms whose parasites (cria) can't be weaned yet do
> to the ice storm destroying the shelter I was going to move them too.
> They get free choice good 2nd cut orchard, but I wanted to add the
> alfalfa, just can't find it anywhere. I didn't want to use calf manna
> as the copper makes me nervous and I don't want to get stuck with 50#
> of beet pulp if they don't like it like the Lucerne ($18 down the
> drain...). Plus the stimulation of ruminating the alfalfa, as opposed
> to using peelets or beet, helps raise their body temp (it is 8
> degrees here).
>
> Cheers,
> Morgen
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posted by Chaddo at 9:07 AM
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